Thursday, July 23, 2009

The Triple F Ranch crew has been enjoying the summer, even though its precious days slip by too quickly. I am feeling like I am accomplishing some things, such as computer work three days a week, art projects, and beginning to write a new book.

I take care of our church's website on Monday, the family's website on Wednesday, and my own computer work on Thursday along with anything I didn't get done on the other websites. I am so excited today as I do computer work, as this week we just purchased Adobe Photo shop Elements 7 for our computer! It is just what I wanted/needed for my graphic designing-at least for now! The picture to the right (with the words Surrendering My All) and the above picture were retouched and edited with Adobe, and I love the results! Dan Nuckols, a local graphic designer,recommended the program to me and I am grateful we got it!

Sam, Jayme, Caleb, Ben, and I each entered an art project into the Kanabec County Fair. Ben and I are running against each other once again; Ben usually beats me, but this year I think I have the advantage! I used color pencils while he used only a mechanical graphite pencil (the judges love color!).

My mom is doing much better. Here's pretty much the full scoop on what Mom went through:

During the first weekend ofApril, Mom was stricken with horrible abdominal pains. She was sick. Mom was admitted to the hospital Palm Sunday, April 5 and wasn’t released untilWednesday, April8 (Taylor’s birthday). Mom was released without adiagnosis, and was labeled by the doctors as a "mysterypatient".

Then Thursday before the concertat our home church, St. Stephen’s Lutheran Church, Mom was once againadmitted to the hospital. They did a colonoscopy on Friday, put Mom on a high dosage of prednisone, and shewas out on Saturday. Praise God, Mom was well enough to perform with us April 26at our home church.The doctors now think Mom has Clostridiumdifficile infection (areaction from a antibiotic).

We thank everyone who has helped,visited, prayed for, and encouraged us during this difficult time. The supportwe received has overwhelmed us (in a good way!). THANK YOU!

Our concert schedule is growing and the Lord keeps opening up new doors and opportunities for us to minister through music. We have three concert possibilities in 2010 already! I know to many family groups this would be nothing, but to me...wow! It is very humbling to see how God chooses to use our family! We have had some fun concerts this July, but we are glad to have a two week break, especially since my dad injured his hand badly (he needed thirteen stitches in all!) this week. We are looking forward to experiencing our first bluegrass festival this August up in Itasca, Minnesota. To learn more about our family band, visit our website (which I hope to finish redesigning this summer): http://www.greatadventurefamily.com/.

Thursday, July 16, 2009

Since a picture says a thousands words, I'll let these photos do the telling of some of my favorite memories from my brother Ben's graduation party with shoot-out on June 13th, 2009. Enjoy! (BTW: Congratulations Ben!)

The girls' and boys' room both received "make-overs." We girls are getting our room painted "Sparkling Stream" blue to match our new baby blue and brown covers. Cool! (We now have another bunk bed in our room-yeah!)

I am learning to decrease while Christ increases, so I will attempt to introduce myself without self-centered promotion or subtle boasting! (Do you know how much of a challenge it is?)

My name is Taylor Garms, and I am the third child of David and Kris Garms. Our family of ten lives primarily in a comfortable home amidst the swamps of Braham, Minnesota, though several members now live away from home. Those who are still at home are involved in music ministry and travel across the United States as The Garms Family (we love Southern Gospel, with several other genres mingled in for variety).

I am a grateful 2010 homeschool graduate (what a privilege homeschooling was and is!). Photoshop is almost always running on my MacBook Pro as I manage a small graphic design business. I enjoy writing books (they are never seen by anyone other than the other members of the "Hooded Authors Club") and songs to encourage the church. I muse out loud at ArisetotheCall.com. Besides these, I love drawing with pencils, dabbling in photography, and cooking up spicy meals for my family (if you dare, ask about my famous fried potatoes!). And, as somewhat of an extrovert, I like to talk and spend time with those I love.

People have labeled me everything from "fundie" to "liberal", but I prefer to be simply known as a follower of Christ.

What in the World is LACHELN?

I have had many people ask me what "lacheln" means, as I often fail to make some mention of its meaning. No, it is not Russian, nor Welsh for "sincerely", nor an acronym for "Lost A Crazy Huge Earmuff Last Night" (these are true speculations by confused friends :).

Sunshine Blog

Sunshine Blog Award from Rebekah at Beautiful Gems Blog

Verses of the Year: Philippians 3:8-10

"Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For His sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish in order that I may gain Christ, and be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith-that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and may share in His sufferings, becoming like Him in His death."

Favorite Quote

We cannot chose the gifts we are given, but we can chose how we use them.